CROWDS of job hunters came together with businesses to network at the Dorset Echo Jobs Fair held at Weymouth Pavilion yesterday.

A wide range of businesses were on hand to discuss exciting career opportunities in healthcare, engineering, advertising and sales industries, amongst other career paths.

Career and CV workshops by Best Training also ran throughout the day helping candidates brush up on their skills.

Ken Pearce, 57, from Weymouth, said the jobs fair was a better way for employers to get a more rounded feel for applicants than looking at their skills on paper.

“It gives people the personal touch as you can talk to employers and find out what they are like, and likewise they can chat to you and look at your CV.

“It’s also been a bit of a confidence boost for me as I’m starting to look for jobs again since being made redundant.”

Charlotte Hibbs, HR and Training Co-ordinator at DEK Printing Machines in Weymouth said: “Today has been a good chance for us to meet and greet and make people aware of the brand.

“There are more people that perhaps do not realise they have the skills we are looking for, so by being able to chat to jobseekers and hone in on their skills we have found several good potential candidates already.”

George Ostridge, 21, from Weymouth attended the fair hoping to gain employment in retail and, he said he benefited greatly from training organised by education and training provider Prospects, one of this year’s companies with a stall at the jobs fair.

He said: “I have been going to Prospects for a number of months now and I’ve found having the training has really helped me.

“It’s given me a lot more confidence and thanks to the CV and interview skills I learnt I have secured an interview next week, so I’m looking forward to talking more with businesses at the jobs fair.”

Debbie Hellaby, Dorset Echo promotions manager, said: “We have had a good turnout this year and it has been an excellent chance for employers to reach out to candidates and chat with them face-to-face about their brand, while also enabling jobseekers to showcase their skills and seek new career opportunities.”